If you’ve been near the Brentwood
Library recently you may have seen a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter land in
the field in front of the building as well as all of Brentwood Fire and
Rescue’s fire trucks parked in the parking lot. There was no emergency; this
was a joint training operation between the two agencies. Brentwood is located
in such close proximity to Vanderbilt Hospital that it isn’t often that transport
by helicopter is necessary, but there are times when the additional tools and
skills that LifeFlight can provide can make a tremendous difference.
Recently Vanderbilt brought their
Operation Tail Watch program to Brentwood to help refresh firefighters on
safely operating around a helicopter. Topics included safely establishing a
landing zone, how to help direct the helicopter in, when and how to approach
the aircraft once it has landed, and when to call for a medical helicopter. Additionally,
LifeFlight crew members explained the benefits and capabilities that they
provide as well as the limitations of helicopter based EMS. These medical
professionals carry some unique equipment and their crews are trained to the
equivalent level of a second year Doctor during their Residency program.
The helicopter provided for this
training is LifeFlight’s newest helicopter, a EuroCopter EC-130, also known as
LifeFlight 5. This is the fastest medical helicopter in the state and is on the
cutting edge of aircraft technology. For more information about Vanderbilt
LifeFlight, please visit
their webpage. Please enjoy these photos from this recent training.
Crew members begin with a brief explanation of how to load a patient
into the EC-130.
One of the unique features of this aircraft is
the ‘internal’ rear stabilizer.
Depending on tail winds, the single jet engine on board this aircraft
can propel it to speeds in excess of 135 m.p.h.
The flight crew’s helmets sport a familiar paint scheme…
The cot used to stabilize the patient during transport can swing out to
facilitate loading as well as be configured in a variety of locations inside
the cabin of the aircraft depending on the needs of the patient.
Much like an ambulance, a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter must carry
all the medical equipment it needs to support the patient both on scene and
during transport.
Of course, you can’t just land a helicopter in the middle of the city
without attracting a little bit of attention. Citizens were welcomed by both
BFR and the helicopter crew to come check out the aircraft.
If you look closely, you may see the next generation of pilots taking
their turn at the controls.
The cot has been stowed for travel. The rails visible in this shot
allow the cot to move from side to side, allowing access to either side of the
patient.
Brentwood Fire and Rescue thanks
Vanderbilt LifeFlight for bringing their aircraft and crew to Brentwood to
conduct this valuable training. While requesting LifeFlight is not a daily
event in the city, it is nice to have a good working relationship with this
valuable asset. Training together ensures that should a citizen ever be in need
of advanced care, BFR will be prepared.
